Golden Gift – 2022

Track: Good  Weather: Shower or Two before Clearing

Seventeen runners (three of which are emergencies) have accepted for the $1,000,000 Golden Gift and there have been no early scratchings.

Eleven of the runners have at least one race start with Barber ($6.00) and Coincide ($6.00) being the leading contenders of the raced brigade, both coming through the Kirkham Plate. Seven of the eleven raced horses have come through that Kirkham Plate with the others coming through the Inglis Banner at Moonee Valley, Maribyrnong Trial Stakes at Flemington, Breeders’ Plate at Randwick, and a midweek race at Warwick Farm.

1. Barber (16)

Won the Kirkham Plate by a narrow margin on debut. He was sectionally brilliant late, running the sixth quickest final 400m of the meeting and second quickest final 200m of the meeting, which featured three races that were Listed or higher. Clear top rater but needs luck from the draw.

2. Coincide (13)

He finished second to Barber in the Kirkham Plate and also ran a solid last 200m, despite leading the race 1.3 lengths above average. Drawn a little easier than his rival but probably has a harder job considering his pattern. Deserved to be in the market.

3. Disneck (3)

Debut here. Won his trial well last week. Drawn well and should get his chance.

4. Flying Trapeze (17)

Ran fifth in the Breeders’ Plate by sixth lengths. Drawn Poorly, can’t have.

5. Gitalong (1)

Ran eighth in the Kirkham Plate. Gets the Blinkers for the first time which may help, but happy to watch.

6. Kintyre (15)

Ran ninth in the Kirkham plate. Blinkers are coming off for this one. Happy to risk.

7. Mexico (6)

Ran a nice second behind Arkansaw Kid in the Inglis Banner. Blinkers are coming off and the visors are going on. He has drawn nicely for this one and I am happy to have him in my numbers.

8. Misty Legend (7)

Debut run. Trialled well in the lead-up for this and the draw is decent. Could be a chance.

9. Razors (12)

Didn’t have a lot of luck in the Kirkham Plate when he finished three lengths back in seventh. Winkers are going on for the first time and the draw suits his racing pattern. Place chance at best.

10. Speedster (9)

Debuted in a Warwick Farm midweek race where he was a distant last. Will need to improve.

11. Charm Stone (14)

Ran third in the Maribyrnong Trial Stakes on debut and did a lot wrong in the run. Pre-race ear muffs go on first time. She is entered for Flemington also which is a high possibility. If she runs here, she can run a bold race.

12. Infatuation (4)

A touch unlucky in the Kirkham Plate when 2.7 lengths seventh. Drawn well again here and could run into the placings with the right run.

13. Line of Law (11)

Debut run. Trialled well but I have to lean with others.

14. Shine Your Light (2)

Ran solidly first up when 1.5 lengths back in third in the Kirkham Plate. Drawn well again here but will need to be better.

15e. Summer Loving (8)

Debut run. Trialled the house down as the stable does. Should be ready to go first up should they get a run.

16e. Maharba (5)

Debut run. Two trials for two wins and he is drawn well. Could run a bold race.

17e. Mojave Desert (10)

Debut run. Trialled well but stable generally take a couple of runs.

The following are the top 4 selections for this year’s race.

Josh’s Tips	Jo’s Tips
15 Summer Loving	1 Barber
1 Barber	15 Summer Loving
2 Coincide	11 Charm Stone
7 Mexico	7 Mexico

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	1 Barber
2nd	12 Infatuation	0.14 length
3rd	15e Summer Loving	1.13 lengths
4th	16e Maharba	1.24 lengths

The track was rated as Good 3.

Scratchings: 11. Charm Stone, 13. Line Of Law, 17e. Mojave Desert.